Deus misereatur nostri
(In finem, in carminibus. Psalmus cantici.)
Verse 1
Deus misereatur nostri, et benedicat nobis; illuminet vultum suum super nos, et misereatur nostri.
May God have mercy on us and bless us; may he make his face shine upon us, and have mercy on us.
Word Notes
- misereatur – misereor, misereri, miseritus sum (2nd conj., deponent) – may he have mercy
- benedicat – benedico, benedicere, benedixi, benedictum (3rd conj.) – may he bless
- illumino, -are, -avi, -atum (1st conj.) – to illuminate, make bright
- vultus, -us (m., 4th decl.) – face, countenance
- super (prep. + acc.) – upon, over
Verse 2
Ut cognoscamus in terra viam tuam, in omnibus gentibus salutare tuum.
That we may know your way upon earth, your salvation among all nations.
Word Notes
- ut cognoscamus – cognosco, cognoscere, cognovi, cognitum (3rd conj.) – that we may know
- via, -ae (f., 1st decl.) – way, path
- salutare, -is (n., 3rd decl.) – salvation, saving power
- gens, gentis (f., 3rd decl.) – nation, people
Verse 3
Confiteantur tibi populi, Deus; confiteantur tibi omnes populi.
Let the peoples confess to you, O God; let all peoples give you thanks.
Word Notes
- confiteantur – confiteor, confiteri, confessus sum (2nd conj., deponent) – let them confess, give thanks
- populus, -i (m., 2nd decl.) – people, nation
Verse 4
Laetentur et exsultent gentes, quoniam judicas populos in aequitate, et gentes in terra dirigis.
Let the nations be glad and rejoice, for you judge the peoples with fairness and guide the nations upon earth.
Word Notes
- laetentur – laetor, laetari, laetatus sum (1st conj., deponent) – let them rejoice
- exsulto, -are, -avi, -atum (1st conj.) – to exult, leap for joy
- judico, -are, -avi, -atum (1st conj.) – to judge
- aequitas, -atis (f., 3rd decl.) – fairness, equity
- dirigis – dirigo, dirigere, direxi, directum (3rd conj.) – you guide
Verse 5
Confiteantur tibi populi, Deus; confiteantur tibi omnes populi.
Let the peoples give you thanks, O God; let all peoples give you thanks.
Word Notes
(identical repetition of v.3 for emphasis)
- confiteantur – confiteor, confiteri, confessus sum (2nd conj., deponent) – let them give thanks
- populus, -i (m., 2nd decl.) – people
Verse 6
Terra dedit fructum suum; benedixit nos Deus, Deus noster.
The earth has yielded her fruit; God, our God, has blessed us.
Word Notes
- terra, -ae (f., 1st decl.) – earth, land
- dedit – do, dare, dedi, datum (1st conj.) – has given
- fructus, -us (m., 4th decl.) – fruit, produce
- benedixit – benedico, benedicere, benedixi, benedictum (3rd conj.) – has blessed
Verse 7
Benedicat nos Deus, et metuant eum omnes fines terrae.
May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him.
Word Notes
- benedicat – benedico, benedicere, benedixi, benedictum (3rd conj.) – may he bless
- metuant – metuo, metuere, metui (3rd conj.) – may they fear
- finis, -is (m., 3rd decl.) – end, border, extremity
SUMMARY COMMENTARY
Psalm 66 is a short yet radiant psalm of universal blessing. It begins with the priestly benediction (Deus misereatur nostri), then expands from Israel to all nations. The movement is from illumination to fruitfulness: divine light leads to human gratitude, and gratitude to abundance.
The repetition of confiteantur tibi omnes populi forms a rhythmic refrain — a chorus of nations acknowledging divine justice. The psalm closes in harmony between heaven and earth: blessing descends, fruit rises, and awe spreads to the ends of the world.
Psychologically, it depicts the expansion of consciousness from the personal to the collective. The “illumined face” (vultus suus super nos) symbolises inner awakening; the “earth giving fruit” mirrors the flowering of the soul when touched by divine compassion.
EXERCISES
(a) ENGLISH → LATIN TRANSLATION
Translate:
- May God have mercy on us and bless us.
- That your way may be known upon earth.
- Let all the peoples give you thanks.
- The earth has yielded her fruit.
Key:
- Deus misereatur nostri et benedicat nobis.
- Ut cognoscatur in terra via tua.
- Confiteantur tibi omnes populi.
- Terra dedit fructum suum.
(b) VERB FORM PRACTICE
Give full principal parts and meanings:
- misereatur – misereor, misereri, miseritus sum (2nd conj., deponent) – may he have mercy
- confiteantur – confiteor, confiteri, confessus sum (2nd conj., deponent) – let them give thanks
- dirigis – dirigo, dirigere, direxi, directum (3rd conj.) – you guide
- benedixit – benedico, benedicere, benedixi, benedictum (3rd conj.) – he has blessed
- metuant – metuo, metuere, metui (3rd conj.) – may they fear
Conjugation Practice
Form the present, imperfect, and future indicative of benedico (3rd conj.):
| Tense | Forms |
|---|---|
| Present | benedico, benedicis, benedicit, benedicimus, benedicitis, benedicunt |
| Imperfect | benedicebam, benedicebas, benedicebat, benedicebamus, benedicebatis, benedicebant |
| Future | benedicam, benedices, benedicet, benedicemus, benedicetis, benedicent |
Form the perfect and pluperfect of cognosco (3rd conj.):
| Tense | Forms |
|---|---|
| Perfect | cognovi, cognovisti, cognovit, cognovimus, cognovistis, cognoverunt |
| Pluperfect | cognoveram, cognoveras, cognoverat, cognoveramus, cognoveratis, cognoverant |
(c) REFLECTION
- How does this psalm’s structure of repetition express the idea of harmony among nations?
- What is the relationship between illumination (illuminet vultum suum super nos) and fruitfulness (terra dedit fructum suum)?
- In psychological terms, how might divine blessing correspond to human gratitude and awareness?